“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).

Mackie, short for Mackenzie, was a ninth grader in the Christian school in her area. She was only six when the police had come to her house and discovered that she and her younger brother were dirty, hungry, and in a desperate situation. Although she doesn’t talk much about it, she remembers being hungry every day and wondering why her mommy and daddy spent so much money on alcohol and so little on buying food for them to eat. When daddy was drunk, he would get mean and sometimes hit her, but usually he hit Mackie’s mommy. Things were very bad the day her daddy seriously hurt her mommy. The police came quickly that day. Lots of police came. Two of the policemen took her daddy in their police car. One police officer found Mackie holding her little brother as they hid beside the bed. Now years later, Mackie and her brother have a new family who have adopted them. In Bible class one morning, the class was discussing Romans 8:38-39. Mackie raised her hand and quietly said, “I really wonder how many in this class understand what it is like to know that nothing can separate them from God’s love? I think I am ready to tell my story, Mr. Langdon.” The class grew silent as Mackie continued. We’ll pick it up here tomorrow.  Aren’t you glad that nothing can separate you from God’s love?

For today: How will the truth of Romans 8 impact your life today?